Public School Monitoring Specialist (ESC)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Springfield, MA

18h • Onsite

About The Position

The Education Secretariat is committed to equity and valuing the unique and diverse characteristics and experiences of every member of its workforce. We encourage an authentic workplace where colleagues show up as their full selves, where collaboration, innovation, and connections are key to realizing our mission that all children, youth, and families thrive socially, academically, and economically. We seek teammates who are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment, where everyone is valued and engaged. We encourage you to apply and identify your strengths in these areas.

Are you a culturally responsive educator looking to work with public schools to make sustainable improvements for students? Join us!
Educational Vision of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education:
Our Educational Vision describes the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s aspiration – our vision – for elementary and secondary public education and adult basic education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This vision is anchored in our commitment to high-quality teaching and learning in the Commonwealth. We work with districts, schools, and educators to promote teaching and learning that is antiracist, inclusive, multilingual, and multicultural; that values and affirms each and every student and their families; and that creates equitable opportunities and experiences for all students, particularly those who have been historically underserved. For more information on our vision, click here.
The Office of Public School Monitoring, within the Strategy, Monitoring and Compliance Unit at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department), is comprised of 24 staff members whose work focuses on reviewing districts and charter schools for special education and civil rights requirements through a process called the Integrated Monitoring Review (IMR).
The IMR is one of the multilayered, cohesive, and formal processes employed by the Department to examine and evaluate district and charter school’s implementation of laws and regulations, with a particular emphasis on educational results, functional outcomes, and compliance. The Office of Public School Monitoring conducts IMRs in a three-step process called Discovery, Engagement, and Close-out. For more information on the monitoring process, click here.
IMR involves a thorough and thoughtful review of district data, including policies and procedures, to inform the onsite portion of the review, as well as a review of data to identify areas of discrepancy based on protected categories. Onsite monitoring includes interviews with district or charter school administration, staff, and parents; a review of records of students in special education; facility observations; and focus groups to better understand experiences and perspectives, the school climate, and equal access for all students to programs.
The Public School Monitoring Specialist serves as a liaison for districts and charter schools undergoing an IMR and leads a team of Public School Monitoring staff when conducting an IMR. Following the onsite review, the Public School Monitoring Specialist develops a report that may include findings of noncompliance and works with the district or charter school through the corrective action process. The Public School Monitoring Specialist is part of a team within the Office of Public School Monitoring. The team includes one supervisor and three Public School Monitoring Specialists who also conduct IMRs in districts and charter schools. Successful Public School Monitoring Specialists demonstrate a passion for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in education and a commitment to cultural responsiveness, as well as an ability to perceive the needs, concerns, challenges, and realities of districts and charter schools.

Requirements

• Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree and at least four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional educational experience in a specific or related content area, educational program/or service
• a Master’s degree or higher in a specific or related educational content area may be substituted for two years of the required experience -- 30 semester hours equals one year of experience for substitution purposes
• Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License or the equivalent from another state may be required.

Nice To Haves

• Public and/or private school teaching and/or administrative experience in special education
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in education
• Familiarity with policies that support equity and inclusion, including those related to bullying, harassment, physical restraint, and discipline
• Experience collaborating with a team to reach conclusions and make sound decisions that are well-documented
• Ability to analyze multiple sources of data to identify trends and disparities
• Ability to navigate planning, scheduling, and managing workflow when engaged in activities with multiple schools and districts simultaneously
• Experience leading teams and synthesizing multiple sources of information while anticipating, understanding, and acknowledging different perspectives
• Experience making compelling presentations of facts or ideas and expressing them, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to hold oneself accountable to fulfill individual and collective responsibilities
• Ability to identify and implement areas for improvement as well as refine practices as a result of receiving constructive feedback
• Ability to apply strong critical thinking and sound judgment, considering relevant information, perspectives, and implications before presenting recommendations or decisions
• Ability to work independently and resourcefully, when required, utilizing available resources and seeking guidance as needed to address questions and ensure accurate outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Review district/charter school data to develop a plan for the IMR, identifying trends and areas of concern
• Conduct the IMR and build collaborative relationships with district and charter school administration, providing support throughout the review cycle (Discovery, Engagement, and Close-out)
• Engage in data-driven conversations with district and charter school leadership to address areas of disparity identified in reported data and documentation
• Prepare written IMR reports that document areas of non-compliance
• Support districts and charter schools in developing Corrective Action Plans and implementing progress reporting requirements
• Collaborate with Team members, and support other Public School Monitoring Specialists on their IMRs
• Facilitate cross-office support to enhance and streamline assistance provided to districts and charter schools
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level